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Monday 15 May 2000

The World Today is a comprehensive current affairs program which backgrounds, analyses, interprets and encourages debate on events and issues of interest and importance to all Australians. Below is the program summary with links to transcripts and audio (if available).

Gosper dumped from torch relay

The achievements of our athletes have again been overtaken by Machiavellian manoeuvring in Olympic politics. Over the weekend while swimmer, Ian Thorpe, broke two world records, the Olympics Minister, Michael Knight, in New South Wales was silently moving to punish his fellow SOCOG Board Member, IOC Vice-President, Kevan Gosper.

SOCOG to dominate torch relay marketplace

It seems that large slabs of Australia, the areas along the Olympic torch route, are to be declared the exclusive property of SOCOG and its marketing people, dashing plans by some to make a few dollars selling food and drinks to runners and spectators. The hard men of the Olympic business movement have declared that even community groups and charities will be banned from fundraising along the torch route unless they sign binding contracts.

Australia's autism sufferers neglected

As many as 110,000 Australians suffer from autism, yet only about one in three of these people have been officially diagnosed with the condition. This morning the Autism Association of New South Wales unveiled a package aimed at giving care-givers, families and professionals means of identifying and implementing intervention strategies for people with autism.

Nationals in shock after Benalla

The National Party is in shock today, coping with the reality that Labor took away one its favoured seats in Victoria, the Victorian regional seat of Benalla. After losing the heartland seat, the National's response has been to look at going it alone, openly caucusing the idea of cutting links with the Liberal Party at state level.

Labor victory rings National Party alarm bells

The Benalla by-election result has spooked sections of the Federal Coalition fuelling speculation of a split - and tough action on the hustings - with more three-cornered contests. The president of the National Party hit back at that suggestion, warning that would be the beginning of the end of the Coalition but at the same time, accepting that not enough listening care has been given.

Funeral held for Obuchi

India fights leprosy legacy

It's one of the oldest and probably most disfiguring diseases in the world, and world health authorities say leprosy will be no longer with us by the end of the year. However, in India where the disease is still prevalent to an extent the end of the year deadline is a long way off from being met, and it's social prejudice more than lack of medicine which is holding back an end to the problem.

Childcare workers take strike action

Childcare services across Sydney were disrupted today when those who look after our most precious asset took the unprecedented action of going on strike. The striking workers gathered outside the Industrial Relations Commission chanting and holding banners that proclaimed we're teachers, not baby sitters. The Commission is hearing an application by childcare employers to remove paid meal breaks and rostered days off from the industry in return for a pay increase. The childcare workers are among the lowest paid in Australia. Despite their tertiary qualifications many of these highly trained workers receive an annual salary of only about $28,000.

Disclosure of electronic security sought

Tthe Australian Stock Exchange will today be asked to add electronic security to its disclosure requirement on listed companies. To protect the interests of shareholders the exchange will be asked to make companies prove the safety of their systems before listing and to disclose electronic security breaches.

Internet to reshape business

We know the Internet is reshaping our lives. A lot of us get information off it, but a far greater impact is going to come from the way the Internet is used to do business. There's an announcement today that three of Australia's biggest mining companies have joined 11 rivals in a plan to buy $300 billion worth of supplies over the Internet - a taste of things to come in business. The companies are chasing huge savings, but it can also mean fewer suppliers.